UMD Student Pleads Guilty in Shooting Threat Case

State's attorney to seek phone/email threat law

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The University of Maryland student accused of threatening to go on a shooting rampage on campus pleaded guilty to disturbing the peace at a school or college and misuse of telephone facilities.

The latter charge carries a maximum prison sentence of three years, which makes it a disqualifying crime, meaning it will be illegal for Alexander Song to possess a regulated firearm, according to the Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors say the honor student posted a threat online in March, claiming he was going to "kill enough people to make it national news."

Police found no weapons in his dorm room or at his parents' home.

Prince George's County State's Attorney Angela Alsobrooks intends to lobby lawmakers for a law making generalized threats over the phone or email crimes in Maryland.

“This case and the case of Neil Prescott underscore the need for a communicating threats statute,” Alsobrooks said. “I want to ensure that we have the tools to treat these threats with the seriousness they warrant.”

As part of his plea, Song agreed to perform 200 hours of community service and appear for status hearings in mental health court. A sentencing date has not been set, but prosecutors will recommend three years of supervised probation during which Song would remain under the jurisdiction of mental health court, continuing his monthly status hearings beyond sentencing.

Song is no longer on home detention, but he now has a 9 p.m. curfew.

Song remains banned from the campus, which is a status only the university can change.